Admission Requirements

The student entering the Computer Science MS program should have an undergraduate preparation equivalent to a baccalaureate in a quantitative science, including calculus and linear algebra. However, special arrangements (requiring more than the minimal number of semester credit hours) can be made for students with good undergraduate preparation in other fields. Minimum requirements are:

Bachelor's degree which includes 2 semesters of calculus and 1 semester of linear algebra.

A GPA (grade point average) of at least 3.0 (last 60 semester credit hours). GPA in quantitative courses of at least 3.3.

GRE revised scores of 308, 153, 155, and 4 for the combined, verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing components, respectively, are advisable based on our experience with student success in the program.

Students must satisfy the core requirements by either earning a 3.19 minimum grade point average OR by earning a 3.0 minimum grade point average in the five core courses and taking an extra approved elective (beyond the minimum degree requirements of 33 semester credit hours) and maintain the required GPA.

Electives (minimum of 18 semester credit hours)

Five (15 semester credit hours) 6000/7000/8000 level elective CS courses, or six semester credit hours of thesis or project courses plus three elective courses (6 + 9 = 15 semester credit hours), with approval of a graduate advisor; a minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required. Courses that are prerequisites to the student's core requirements are especially recommended. Approved electives must be taken to make a minimum of 33 semester credit hours.

Note: For the information assurance track, students must also take six elective courses (two approved information assurance electives), and all electives must be 6000 level or above. A course cannot be used to satisfy both core and elective requirements.

While the Department of Computer Science offers both the Master of Science in Computer Science and the Master of Science in Software Engineering degrees, students are not permitted to pursue both degrees.

Objectives

The Department of Computer Science offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Software Engineering.

The doctoral program is tailored to the student. The student must arrange a course program with the guidance and approval of a faculty member chosen as his/her graduate advisor. Adjustments can be made as the student's interests develop and a specific dissertation topic is chosen.

GRE revised scores of at least 308, 153, 155, and 4 for the combined, verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing components, respectively, are advisable based on our experience with student success in the program.

Admission Option Two

A BS in related area that includes two semesters of calculus and linear algebra with,

GPA of at least 3.5 in the last 60 semester credit hours, and

GRE revised scores of at least 315, 156, 159, and 4 for the combined, verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing components, respectively, are advisable based on our experience with student success in the program.

Sufficient CS electives for a total of at least 75 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. At least 9 semester credit hours of organized advanced Computer Science electives must be taken at UT Dallas. The student is encouraged to consult with an advisor in choosing electives.

Dissertation

A dissertation is required and must be approved by the graduate program. A student must arrange for a dissertation advisor willing to guide this dissertation. The student must have a dissertation supervising committee that consists of no less than four members of whom at least three must be from the Computer Science faculty. Students must enroll in a minimum 3 dissertation semester credit hours in the degree plan. The dissertation may be in computer science exclusively or it may involve considerable work in an area of application.